International

Argentina: candidates prepare for internal political party elections

Photo: AP

May 29 |

On June 4, the internal elections of the political parties in Argentina will be held, which will define the formulas that will compete in the August primaries and in the general elections in October to elect the new president.

In the midst of a serious economic crisis and a social unrest that could lead the government to suffer a heavy defeat, according to opinion polls, the candidates are toughening their speeches and intensifying their campaigns.

The liberals, for the first time in history, capture the young vote and the so-called ‘angry vote’ of the society, they lead the polls, with their referent the economist Javier Milei, with an incendiary message.

“We are going to bet on a system that is going to take the machine away from the criminals of the politicians,” said Milei. “The main beneficiaries of the little machine that generates inflation are the crooks of the political caste, because it is the one that has financed the political caste and during the first two years of President Alberto Fernández they have looted (stolen) 11 points of the GDP from us.”

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Kirchnerism has already differentiated itself from the current government and is presenting a pro-government candidate, the current Minister of the Interior, Wado de Pedro, who is seeking to gain followers for the Frente de Todos party.

“As Cristina Fernández de Kirchner rightly said, it is necessary to take the marshal’s baton, because there is a generation that is good for Argentina to refresh its leadership. New generations appear in businessmen, in the media, in the trade unions”, argues the candidate.

From the opposition, there is a possibility of recovering governorships, mayorships, legislative seats and even the presidency, with a tough message.

The former Minister of Security, Patricia Bullrich, from the right-wing Republican Proposal (Pro), says that “to adjust means to shrink a State that grew 100% in the last 20 years, and that took away the wealth of all Argentines, to create a bureaucracy, bigger and bigger, that went from 23% of the GDP to 42% and that left you absolutely nothing”.

“It did not give you better health, better housing, better education… so, I do not enter into the language of Kirchnerism”, he added.

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The current mayor of Buenos Aires, Horacio Rodríguez Larreta, of Juntos por el Cambio, is the most moderate candidate with more experience in administration, and seeks to give guarantees of governability.

“Here the important thing is a development plan. We are going to make Argentina produce again, we are going to open new markets in the world because it needs our food, our oil, gas and we are going to modernize the labor system. Today it is a catastrophe and I am convinced that Argentina will stop suffering”, he recently promised.

The August primary elections will be decisive to measure the political pulse and to see who has real chances of winning.

International

Trump signals possible expansion of U.S. regional policy beyond Venezuela

U.S. President Donald Trump said on Saturday that Cuba could become a subject of discussion as part of a broader regional policy, highlighting the possibility that Washington may expand its focus beyond Venezuela amid rising tensions in Latin America.

The remarks suggest that the White House is considering a recalibration of its strategy toward the region, in a context shaped by recent actions and warnings related to political stability and hemispheric security.

International

World leaders react to U.S. attacks on Venezuela, sparking global divide

The following are international reactions to the U.S. attacks carried out on Saturday against Venezuela:

Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs

China said it was “deeply shocked” and strongly condemned the use of force by the United States against a sovereign country, as well as the use of force against the president of that nation.

“China firmly opposes this hegemonic behavior by the United States, which seriously violates international law, infringes upon Venezuela’s sovereignty, and threatens peace and security in Latin America and the Caribbean,” the ministry said. It urged Washington to comply with international law and the purposes and principles of the United Nations Charter, and to cease actions that violate the sovereignty and security of other countries.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot

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Barrot stated that the military operation that led to the capture of Nicolás Maduro violates the principle of non-use of force, which underpins international law. He stressed that no lasting political solution can be imposed from outside and that only sovereign peoples can decide their own future.

Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Russia said the United States had committed an act of armed aggression against Venezuela, describing the move as deeply troubling and condemnable.

“The pretexts used to justify such actions are unfounded,” the ministry said, adding that ideological animosity had prevailed over pragmatism and the willingness to build relations based on trust and predictability.

Moscow emphasized the need to prevent further escalation and to focus on resolving the crisis through dialogue. It reiterated that Latin America should remain a zone of peace, as declared in 2014, and that Venezuela must be guaranteed the right to determine its own destiny without external — especially military — interference.

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Russia also said it supports calls by Venezuelan authorities and Latin American leaders for an urgent meeting of the United Nations Security Council.

United Nations

UN spokesman Stéphane Dujarric said Secretary-General António Guterres continues to stress the importance of full respect for international law, including the UN Charter. He added that the secretary-general is deeply concerned that international legal norms were not respected.

Government of Argentina and President Javier Milei

Argentine President Javier Milei, a close regional ally of Donald Trump, posted on X: “FREEDOM MOVES FORWARD. LONG LIVE FREEDOM, DAMN IT,” alongside a video showing him at a summit describing Maduro as a threat to the region and supporting the pressure exerted by Trump on Caracas.

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In a statement, the Argentine government praised “the decision and determination shown by the President of the United States and his administration in the recent actions taken in Venezuela that led to the capture of the dictator Nicolás Maduro, leader of the Cartel of the Suns.”

Argentina said it hopes these developments represent a decisive step forward in the fight against narcoterrorism in the region.

Mexican Foreign Ministry

Mexico strongly condemned and rejected the unilateral military actions carried out in recent hours by U.S. armed forces against targets in Venezuelan territory, calling them a clear violation of Article 2 of the United Nations Charter.

The Mexican government reiterated that dialogue and negotiation are the only legitimate and effective means to resolve disputes and reaffirmed its willingness to support any effort aimed at facilitating dialogue, mediation, or accompaniment to preserve regional peace and prevent confrontation.

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International

Missile attack hits Kharkiv homes, leaving 13 wounded

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Friday that a Russian missile attack on residential buildings in the eastern city of Kharkiv has left at least 13 people injured, according to local authorities.

“A horrific Russian attack on Kharkiv,” Zelensky wrote on Telegram, explaining that two missiles were fired, striking residential areas and causing “a number of casualties that is still being clarified.”

Local officials later confirmed that 13 people were injured in the attack, six of whom were hospitalized, including one woman in serious condition.